Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5 Review

It’s easy to think of indoor rowing as another fitness trend along the likes of spinning and aqua cycling. It has roots from a competitive sport, a fast-growing community, plus a handful of die-hard enthusiasts who push the activity to its very limits.

But indoor rowing is more than just a fad- it’s probably one of the best and most efficient whole body exercises there is. A huge part of the action of rowing depends on core strength, but it also uses other muscles in the body too. This is a far cry from other exercises that target specific body parts (e.g. abs, biceps, legs, thighs, etcetera) alone.

Aside from strength training, exercising on a rowing machine like the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5 can keep your heart rate elevated and give you a good cardio workout. Those with posture problems may also find rowing beneficial because it drastically strengthens the muscles on the back- just the perfect remedy for those whose postures got wrecked by sitting in front of computer desks and being sedentary for hours on end.

A Quick Look at The Brand

Concept2 is a leading manufacturer of indoor rowing machines. They have been in business since 1981, long before the concept of indoor rowing became a fitness fad among non-athletes. Though they initially started out making machines that targeted competitive rowers, they eventually marketed these to non-rowing fitness enthusiasts too.

The Unit

The Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine is currently Concept2’s flagship product (other Concept2 rower models are Model E and the Dynamic). Coincidentally, it is also the best selling indoor rower in the world, recognized by both competitive rowers and non-competitive fitness enthusiasts alike.
To understand how this particular model became so popular, let’s take a look at some of the features that set the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine apart from lesser indoor rowing machines:

Build Quality

It’s important to note that Concept2 designs their machines with athletes in mind. So yes, their machines are engineered to be used in boat houses and rowing training centers and are able to withstand rigorous daily use no matter what your fitness level is.
This kind of durability is apparent the moment you take the Model D out of its box. With a frame made out of aluminum beam and stainless steel track combined with a nickel-plated steel chain, the whole thing is pretty hefty- it’s 57 lbs fully assembled. However, this added weight ensures that even the toughest of workouts wouldn’t so much as make a dent on the surface of the frame.
The Model D requires a bit of assembly work, but it’s nothing too complicated. Everything can be set up in just ten minutes, and the unit comes with its own screws and a screwdriver.

Working Out on the Machine

Even on the default middle level setting, the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine provides an excellent workout. You’ll eventually start to feel your heart pounding after a couple of minutes, especially if you’re going on a steady moderate peace.
This intensity is due to the fact that Model D uses air resistance instead of magnetic resistance on the flywheel. More experienced rowers usually prefer the steady constant pressure provided by magnetic resistance, but air resistance allows people to build momentum with their strokes and makes it “easier” for them to pull on the flywheel fast at the end of each stroke. This makes working out on the Model D more dynamic and less boring than traditional magnetic resistance machines.

PM5 for Extra Motivation

The PM5 is a key feature of this particular iteration of Model D. It is a very advanced monitor that provides accurate data for each stroke that you make on the machine. You can then take this data, store it on a USB stick (or directly connect the PM5 to a laptop or desktop using a USB cable), then compare your stats to other rowers from all over the globe! Concept2 provides a free online service just for this purpose; it acts almost likes a social media wherein you can see other people’s stats and pictures.
Even if you work out alone, it will feel like as if you’re part of a greater rowing community at large. It makes exercising on the machine more fun, and also gives you compete and compare your progress with other rowers.

Summary

At under $1,000, the Concept2 Model D with PM5 is at the higher end of the indoor rowing machine pricing scale. But the build quality of the machine itself, the kind of workout that it provides, as well as the online social integration of the PM5 more than makes up for the price. It provides the equivalent of a whole gym’s worth of exercises at a fraction of the cost of a one-year gym subscription.